Indian Celebs Back CJP Protests Over Education Reforms, Police Action
Numerous Indian celebrities, including Diljit Dosanjh, Shabana Azmi, Sonu Sood, and Sonakshi Sinha, have publicly supported the recent CJP-led student protests in Delhi. The protests, demanding education reforms and accountability for alleged exam irregularities, saw clashes with police, prompting widespread celebrity condemnation of the force used against students.
Key Highlights
- Celebrities support CJP student protests in Delhi.
- Protests demand education reforms, NEET irregularities accountability.
- Diljit Dosanjh, Shabana Azmi, Sonu Sood condemned police action.
- Shabana Azmi participated physically, suffered an asthma attack.
- Sonakshi Sinha, Riteish-Genelia Deshmukh voiced solidarity.
- CJP movement calls for Education Minister's resignation.
A wave of prominent Indian celebrities has publicly thrown their support behind the recent youth-led 'Cockroach Janta Party' (CJP) protests in Delhi, which intensified around July 20-21, 2026. The demonstrations, primarily advocating for comprehensive education reforms and accountability for alleged irregularities in national examinations like NEET-UG 2026 and CBSE On-Screen Marking, also demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Punjabi singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh was among the first to voice his concern, condemning the treatment of student protesters and urging authorities to listen to their demands. In an Instagram post, he stated that students 'shouldn't have been treated this way' and acknowledged the likelihood of being labeled 'anti-national' for his stance, drawing parallels to the backlash he faced during the 2020-21 farmers' protests. His sentiment, 'What happened today was very wrong. Students should not have been treated like this. I request the authorities to listen to the students' demands. The voice of the people is the voice of God,' resonated widely.
Veteran actress Shabana Azmi not only expressed solidarity but actively participated in the 'Chalo Sansad' march towards Parliament. She emphasized the peaceful nature of the protest, grounding it in constitutional values. Azmi, who is 75, was seen travelling in a truck and crossing barricades with other protesters, demonstrating her commitment to the cause. During the protest, she reportedly suffered an asthma attack due to tear gas deployed by police but recovered and returned to the site, underscoring the intensity of the clashes.
Actor Sonu Sood vehemently criticized the police action against the students, advocating for compassion over force. He shared a powerful message stating, 'Our students do not need batons, they need hands that embrace them' and asserted that 'the future of our country deserves a hug, not a lathi.' His call for empathy was widely picked up by other media outlets.
Actor couple Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia Deshmukh issued a joint statement on social media, expressing their unwavering support for the youth. Their message highlighted the crucial role of young voices in a democracy: 'We stand in solidarity with the youth of our country. Their voices deserve to be heard — loud, clear, and without fear. They are the heartbeat of our democracy and the true architects of our nation's future. Let us listen, support, and empower them.'
Bollywood actress Sonakshi Sinha also joined the chorus of celebrity support, sharing visuals of the alleged police 'lathi-charge' (baton charge) on students and expressing her profound sorrow, writing, 'Poore desh ka dil toot gaya' (The entire nation's heart has been broken). She had previously criticized the forced removal of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was on an indefinite hunger strike, from Jantar Mantar by the police.
Beyond these prominent names, a host of other celebrities also extended their support, either through social media or direct participation. These included Pooja Bhatt, Aditi Rao Hydari, Prakash Raj (who joined Shabana Azmi on the ground), Anurag Kashyap, Ishaan Khatter, Sonam Bajwa, Dia Mirza, Preity Zinta, Rohit Saraf, Bhumi Pednekkar, Soha Ali Khan, Revathy Asha, Atul Kulkarni, Vir Das, Huma Qureshi, Nandita Das, Soni Razdan, Zeenat Aman, Abhay Deol, Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, Omi Vaidya, and Sutapa Sikdar.
The CJP movement, founded by political communications strategist Abhijeet Dipke, originated in May 2026 as a satirical response to a perceived derogatory remark by Chief Justice Surya Kant, who reportedly referred to unemployed youth as 'cockroaches.' The movement quickly gained traction online and transitioned into large-scale physical protests, particularly at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. The core demands include educational reforms, accountability for exam leaks, and compensation for families of students who allegedly died by suicide due to examination-related distress. The alleged police crackdown, including the use of tear gas and lathi-charges, against the predominantly peaceful protesters has drawn significant criticism from various quarters, further amplifying the public discourse around the right to protest and state response.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the CJP protests about?
The CJP (Cockroach Janta Party) protests are a youth-led movement demanding comprehensive education reforms, accountability for alleged irregularities in national examinations like NEET-UG 2026, and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Which prominent celebrities supported the CJP protests?
A wide range of Indian celebrities supported the protests, including Diljit Dosanjh, Shabana Azmi, Sonu Sood, Riteish and Genelia Deshmukh, Sonakshi Sinha, Prakash Raj, Dia Mirza, and many others, condemning the police action and urging authorities to listen to students.
What was the government's response to the protests?
The protests in Delhi, particularly the 'Chalo Sansad' march, were met with heavy security and police action, including the alleged use of tear gas and lathi-charges to disperse the crowds.
When did these protests and celebrity reactions take place?
The protests intensified around July 20-21, 2026, coinciding with the opening of the Monsoon Session of Parliament. Celebrity reactions largely followed these events.
Who is Sonam Wangchuk and what is his role in the protests?
Sonam Wangchuk is a climate activist and education reformer who joined the CJP protest and went on an indefinite hunger strike demanding education reforms and accountability for exam irregularities. He was later forcibly shifted to a hospital due to his deteriorating health.